Madonna and Dawn French have led the tributes to German actor Udo Kier after his death aged 81.
The actor, who had over 220 films to his name, was well-known for appearing in Paul Morrissey films Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (1974), which were both produced by Andy Warhol.Â
Along with his extensive movie work, Udo also appeared in Madonna’s music videos for Erotica and Deeper and Deeper in 1992.
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Madonna shared a clip from the Deeper and Deeper video where she rests her head on Udo’s shoulder.
Alongside the clip, she wrote: ‘Goodbye dear Udo. There will never be another like you!’Â
Dawn French, who had also worked with Udo, paid tribute to him with her own post.
Madonna and Dawn French have led the tributes to actor Udo Kier after his death aged 81 (pictured together in her Deeper and Deeper music video, 1992)Â
The actor, who had over 220 films to his name, was well-known for appearing in Paul Morrissey films Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (1974), which were both produced by Andy Warhol
Dawn French, who had also worked with Udo, paid tribute to him with her own post
Filmmaker and artist Bruce LaBruce also paid tribute to Udo, calling him ‘one of the hardest working men in showbiz’Â
She wrote: ‘I worked with this amazing chap in Adventures of Pinocchio in 1996. What a presence. RIP Udo.’Â
Filmmaker and artist Bruce LaBruce also paid tribute to Udo, writing: ‘The great Udo Kier, whom I once interviewed on stage in Toronto, both getting drunk on Chardonnay & Jagermeister, as he mercilessly teased me, has died at 81.Â
‘Udo, one of the hardest working men in showbiz, worked w/ everyone from Paul Morrissey to Fassbinder to Lars Von Trier.’Â Â Â Â
Udo met director Gus Van Sant at the Berlin Film Festival and credited him helping him obtain an American work permit and SAG card, according to Variety.
He went on to star in 1991’s My Own Private Idaho, appearing alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.
Kier began collaborating with Lars von Trier in the late 80s, starting with the horror-comedy Epidemic.
He went on to appear in 1991’s psychological drama period film Europa, and then several episodes of the horror-thriller series The Kingdom, which lasted through 90s and early 2000s.
The two also worked together on Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, Nicole Kidman-led Dogville, Kirsten Dunst-led Melancholia, and 2013’s Nymphomaniac: Vol. II.
Pictured in 1999’s The New Adventures of Pinocchio
He was well-known for appearing in Paul Morrissey films Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (pictured in 1974), which were both produced by Warhol
Pictured in Flesh for Frankenstein
Kier’s repetoire additionally includes roles in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Armageddon, Blade, and Madonna’s 1992 coffee table book Sex.
His illustrious career also included appearances in the singer’s Erotica and Deeper and Deeper music videos.
The actor’s career was active as recently as this year, as he appeared in Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, whose lead Wagner Moura won Best Actor at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
The longtime entertainer, full name was Udo Kierspe, was born in Cologne, Germany on October 14, 1944.
At age 18 he moved to London after meeting future collaborator Fassbinder in a bar.
Just last year, looking back on his life, he told Variety, ‘I liked the attention, so I became an actor.’
His career saw him travel between Europe and the United States for years before he eventually put down roots in Los Angeles and Palm Springs.
According to the outlet, he resided in a former mid-century library and took up art, architecture and collecting.
